Converter and communication control method

ABSTRACT

A converter for connecting its ATM network with other ATM networks through a LAN, which is provided with an address translation table storing external VPIs, internal VPIs uniquely assigned to the LAN, and opposing MAC addresses for opposing converters in correspondence and a processing unit for performing control for transmitting, to the LAN, frames changed from the external VPI/VCIs of headers of cells from its ATM network to the internal VPI/VCIs by referring to the address translation table and having opposing MAC addresses corresponding to the internal VPI/VCIs attached, removing the opposing MAC addresses of frames received from the LAN by referring to the address translation table, and transmitting cells changed from internal VPI/VCIs to external VPI/VCIs to its ATM network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a converter having an addresstranslation function and a communication control system in a networksystem including such a converter.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the past, as a network system for transmitting various types of data,for example, an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, Ethernet®network (hereinafter explained as a “local area network (LAN)” or “widearea LAN”), etc. are known. An ATM network breaks down data into 48-bytecells, adds 5-byte headers to these, and transmits the resultant 53-bytecells. It transmits the data to the opposing side at a high speed inaccordance with virtual path identifiers (VPI) and virtual channelidentifiers (VCI) at headers of the cells. Further, a LAN adds thesource address and destination address to the headers to compose framesfor transmission. For example, there are known the 100BASE-FX,100BASE-T, 1000BASE-LX, 1000BASE-SX, 10GBASE-X, and other specificationsof the IEEE802.3 standard.

Further, in a LAN, each terminal is assigned a media access control(MAC) address. This MAC address is used as a destination address whencomposing and transmitting a frame of data. Further, in a wide area LAN,terminals positioned at geographically separated sites are connectedthrough bridges etc. arranged at those sites and provided with requiredtransmission capabilities. Note that for efficiently forwardingcommunication data constituted by Internet protocol (IP) packets withnonspecific MAC addresses, one method is to provide an address table ineach bridge to provide a function of translating between IP addressesand MAC addresses. When constructing such an address table, as anaddress resolving means spanning transmission layers, for example, thereis known the means of utilizing an address resolution protocol (ARP) toacquire the MAC address of a destination (for example, see JapaneseUnexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2002-319953).

Summarizing the problems to be solved by the invention, theabove-mentioned ATM network transmits cells of data in accordance withthe VPI/VCIs attached to the headers. It has various advantages, but thecost of maintenance of lines connecting a plurality of ATM exchanges ora plurality of sites is high, so there is the problem of increasedcosts. As opposed to this, the above-mentioned LAN can maintainmultipoint-to-multipoint lines at a relatively low cost and does notinclude any expensive exchanges, so there is the advantage that thecosts can be reduced. Therefore, it has been proposed to form part ofeach ATM network by a LAN (in particular a wide area LAN) and connect aplurality of such ATM exchanges through the LAN to construct a networksystem. In this case, means of translating between the VPI/VCIs attachedto the headers of the cells in the ATM networks and the MAC addressesattached to the frames in the LAN, that is, address resolving means,become necessary.

Therefore, it may be considered to provide a MAC address managementserver. However, a MAC address management server would be relativelyexpensive and would have to be provided for each ATM exchange, so therewould be the problem that even use of a LAN would not enable the coststo be sufficiently reduced. Note that for the MAC address translation ofa bridge in the prior art, only a means for translating between an IPaddress and MAC address is shown. An ATM network has not been consideredat all.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide means for reducing costand resolving addresses by connecting an ATM network and a LAN through aconverter of a relatively simple configuration and relatively low cost.

To attain the above object, there is provided a converter connecting itsATM network with a plurality of other ATM networks through a LAN andprovided with an address translation table storing external VPIs,internal VPIs uniquely assigned to the LAN, and opposing MAC addressesfor opposing converters in correspondence and a processing unit forperforming control for transmitting, to the LAN, frames changed from theexternal VPI/VCIs of headers of cells from its ATM network to theinternal VPI/VCIs by referring to the address translation table andhaving opposing MAC addresses corresponding to the internal VPI/VCIsattached, removing the opposing MAC addresses of frames received fromthe LAN by referring to the address translation table, and transmittingcells changed from internal VPI/VCIs to external VPI/VCIs to its ATMnetwork.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome clearer from the following description of the preferredembodiments given with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view explaining a network system of a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view explaining principal parts of a converter of a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view explaining a VPI and MAC address;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are views explaining a VPI-MAC resolution frame;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are flow charts of a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views explaining the processing of the converter;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are flow charts of a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views explaining an Internet Protocol Version 6(IPv6) address;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a view explaining principal parts of a converter of a fourthembodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 11A and 11B are flow charts of a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail later while referring to the attached drawings. Before this, thepresent invention will be summarized as below.

The converter of the present invention is a converter connecting its ATMnetwork with a plurality of other ATM networks by a LAN and providedwith an address translation table storing external VPI/VCIs showingdestinations of cells transmitted by the ATM networks, internal VPI/VCIsassigned uniquely to the LAN, and opposing MAC addresses for opposingconverters connected to the LAN in correspondence and a controlprocessing unit for performing control for transmitting, to the LAN,frames changed from the external VPI/VCIs of headers of cells from itsATM network to the internal VPI/VCIs by referring to the addresstranslation table and having opposing MAC addresses corresponding to theinternal VPI/VCIs attached, removing the opposing MAC addresses offrames received from the LAN by referring to the address translationtable, and transmitting cells changed from internal VPI/VCIs to externalVPI/VCIs to its ATM network.

The communication control method of the present invention is achieved ina network system comprised of a plurality of ATM networks connected byconverters to a LAN, comprising a step of having each converter beprovided with an address translation table and a control processingunit, broadcast, to the LAN, a special frame including an internalVPI/VCI corresponding to an external VPI/VCI indicating the destinationof a cell transmitted from the ATM network and uniquely assigned to theLAN and its own MAC address, a step of having a converter recognizingthe internal VPI/VCI of the special frame and receiving the frametransmit, to the LAN, a reply frame having a source MAC address of thespecial frame as a destination MAC address and having its own MACaddress as a source MAC address, and a step of having the converterreceiving the reply frame register and set in an address translationtable the external VPI/VCI, the internal VPI/VCI, and the source MACaddress of the reply frame as the opposing MAC address incorrespondence.

Preferably, the method further comprises a step of transmitting aspecial frame including the internal VPI/VCI in an IPv6 address to theLAN and a step of receiving a reply frame from a converter correspondingto the internal VPI/VCI to construct the address translation table.

Preferably, the method further comprises a step of having a converterperiodically transmit the special frame to the LAN, receive a replyframe of the special frame, and set and register it in the addresstranslation table.

Alternatively, the communication control method is a communicationcontrol method in a network system comprised of a plurality of ATMnetworks connected by converters to a LAN, comprising a step of havingeach converter be provided with an address translation table, anopposing VPI-MAC table, and a control processing unit, set and registerin the address translation table an internal VPI/VCI corresponding to anexternal VPI/VCI indicating the destination of a cell transmitted fromthe ATM network and uniquely assigned to the LAN and an opposing MACaddress, set and register in the opposing VPI-MAC table an externalVPI/VCI, an internal VPI/VCI, a destination MAC address for an opposingconverter through the LAN, and an opposing MAC address indicating itsown MAC address, and transmit to the LAN a special frame including theinternal VPI/VCI, the destination MAC address, and an opposing MACaddress indicating its own MAC address based on content set andregistered in the opposing VPI-MAC table and a step of having aconverter receiving the special frame in accordance with the destinationMAC address set and register in the address translation table of theconverter the opposing MAC address of the special frame incorrespondence to the external VPI/VCI and internal VPI/VCI.

Summarizing the effects of the invention, there is provided a converterconnecting an ATM network including an ATM exchange with a plurality ofother converters through a LAN and having a relative simpleconfiguration and including an address translation table. Therefore, itis possible to reduce the costs of a network system. The addressresolution for transmitting cells across ATM networks as frames throughthe LAN can be performed by the address translation tables of theconverters. The address translation tables for this address resolutioncan be built efficiently and autonomously by the transfer of VPI-MACresolution frames or other special frames.

Turning now to the best mode for working the invention, referring toFIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the converter of the present invention is a converter(any one of 2-1 to 2-3) connecting an ATM network with a plurality ofother ATM networks through a LAN 3 and provided with an addresstranslation table 24 storing external VPI/VCIs showing the destinationsof cells for transmission from the ATM network, internal VPI/VCIsuniquely assigned to the LAN 3, and opposing MAC addresses for opposingconverters (others of 2-1 to 2-3) connected to the LAN 3 incorrespondence and a processing unit 21 for performing control fortransmitting, to the LAN 3, frames changed from the external VPI/VCIs ofheaders of cells from ATM network to internal VPI/VCIs by referring tothe address translation table 24 and having opposing MAC addressescorresponding to the internal VPI/VCIs attached, removing the opposingMAC addresses of frames received from the LAN 3 by referring to theaddress translation table 24, and transmitting cells changed frominternal VPI/VCIs to external VPI/VCIs to its ATM network.

Further, the communication control method of the present invention isachieved in a network system comprised of a plurality of ATM networksconnected by converters 2-1 to 2-3 to a LAN 3, comprising a step ofhaving each of the converters 2-1 to 2-3 be provided with an addresstranslation table 24 and control processing unit 21, broadcast, to theLAN 3, a VPI-MAC resolution frame or other special frame including aninternal VPI/VCI corresponding to an external VPI/VCI indicating thedestination of a cell transmitted from its ATM network and uniquelyassigned to the LAN and its own MAC address, a step of having aconverter recognizing the internal VPI/VCI of the special frame andreceiving the frame transmit, to the LAN 3, a reply frame having asource MAC address of the special frame as a destination MAC address andhaving its own MAC address as a source MAC address, and a step of havinga converter receiving the reply frame register and set in an addresstranslation table 24 the external VPI/VCI, the internal VPI/VCI, and thesource MAC address of the reply frame as the opposing MAC address incorrespondence.

EXAMPLE 1

FIG. 1 shows a network system of the present invention. In the figure,1-1 to 1-3 show ATM exchanges or ATM networks including ATM exchanges,2-1 to 2-3 show converters, and 3 shows a LAN serving as theabove-mentioned Ethernet® network. That is, the network is configured bya plurality of ATM networks including the ATM exchanges 1-1 to 1-3connected through the converters 2-1 to 2-3 and the LAN 3. Note that theATM exchanges can be provided in a greater number and be connectedthrough the converters by the LAN 3 as well. Alternatively, all or partof the LAN 3 can be comprised by a wide area LAN.

FIG. 2 shows principal parts of a converter 2 corresponding to theconverters 2-1 to 2-3 in FIG. 1. Reference numeral 21 shows a controlprocessing unit (CPU), 22 an ATM interface (ATMIF) for connecting withthe ATM networks 1-1 to 1-3, 23 a LAN interface (LANIF) for connectingwith the LAN 3, and 24 an address translation table.

The control processing unit 21 is comprised of a processor which has thefunctions of processing for control of transfer of a cell by the ATMinterface 22, processing for control of writing and reading to and fromthe address translation table 24, processing for changing the VPI/VCI ofa header showing the destination of a cell (hereinafter referred to as a“VPI”), processing for adding a MAC address to a frame for transmissionand deleting a MAC address from a received frame, and processing forcontrol of transfer of a frame by the LAN interface 23. Further, theaddress translation table 24 is set with external VPIs of the ATMnetwork side, internal VPIs of the LAN side (made unique values in theLAN), and MAC addresses in correspondence. After finishing setting, thecontrol processing unit 21 refers to the address translation table 24 todetermine the correspondence between a VPI and MAC address and transferdata between ATM networks through the LAN.

The ATM exchanges 1-1 to 1-3, converters 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3, and LAN 3shown in FIG. 1, are explained, as shown in FIG. 3, with the MACaddresses of the converters 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 designated as AAAAA,BBBBB, and CCCCC, the external VPIs in the converter 2-1 as 100 and 101and the internal VPIs as 70 and 71, and the external VPI in theconverter 2-3 as 111 and the internal VPI as 71. Below, the settings ofthe address translation table will be explained.

In Example 1, when constructing an address translation table 24, theaddress translation table 24 is set with the external VPIs and internalVPIs, then the converter transmits and receives VPI-MAC resolutionframes as special frames so as to set and register the MAC addresses.FIGS. 4A and 4B are views explaining such a VPI-MAC resolution frame.FIG. 4A shows an example of a VPI-MAC resolution frame (Request) as sucha special frame, while FIG. 4B shows an example of a VPI-MAC resolutionframe (Reply) as a reply frame to this special frame. Such a frameincludes fields for the destination MAC address, source MAC address,frame type, request type, and internal VPI.

The VPI-MAC resolution frame serving as a special frame for obtainingthe MAC address of an opposing converter through the LAN, as shown inFIG. 4A, includes the destination MAC address as the address forbroadcast, its own MAC address as the source MAC address, the VPI-MACresolution type as the type of frame, a request showing the addressresolution request as the type of request, and an internal VPI uniquelyset in the LAN as the internal VPI.

The reply frame for this VPI-MAC resolution frame, as shown in FIG. 4B,includes the source MAC address of the previously received VPI-MACresolution frame as the source MAC address, its own MAC address as thesource MAC address, the VPI-MAC resolution type as the type of frame, areply as the type of request, and the internal VPI of the previouslyreceived VPI-MAC resolution frame as the internal VPI.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show flow charts of Example 1 of the present invention,while FIGS. 6A and 6B show the processing steps (1) to (12) of aconverter 2 for the MAC address resolution processing in accordance withthe flow charts of FIGS. 5A and 5B. These will be explained withreference to the configurations shown in FIG. 1 to FIGS. 4A and 4B. InFIGS. 5A and 5B, the converters 2-1 to 2-3 are designated as A, B, and Cand the address translation tables 24 are set with external VPIs andinternal VPIs as shown as 24 a 1, 24 b 1, and 24 c 1. The explanationwill be made of the processing steps in the case of the ATM interface 22of the converter A receiving a cell from the ATM exchange 1-1 (ATMnetwork) of the external VPI: 100 in the state with an opposing MACaddress set for the converter through the LAN.

When the converter A receives a cell from its ATM network from the ATMinterface 22 (1) (see FIG. 6A), the control processing unit 21 of theconverter A searches through the address translation table 24 a 1 (seeFIG. 5A) using as a key the external VPI: 100 added to the header of thereceived cell (2).

Since the opposing MAC address is not set in the address translationtable 24 a 1, the control processing unit 21 of the converter A fetchesthe internal VPI: 70 corresponding to the external VPI: 100 (3), changesthe external VPI: 100 of the header of the received cell to the internalVPI: 70 to generate a VPI-MAC resolution frame (Request) (4), andtransmits it from the LAN interface (LANIF) 23 to the LAN (5). ThisVPI-MAC resolution frame (Request), as shown in FIG. 4A, has thedestination MAC address made to show a broadcast and has the source MACaddress made its own MAC address: AAAAA. This MAC address: AAAAA isconfirmed as its own MAC address in the control processing unit 21.

When the converters B and C receive the VPI-MAC resolution frame(Request) through the LAN interface 23 (6) (see FIG. 6B), their controlprocessing units 21 search whether the internal VPI: 70 added to thereceived VPI-MAC resolution frame (Request) has been set in the addresstranslation tables 24 b 1 and 24 c 1 (7). In the converter B, theinternal VPII: 70 has been set in the address translation table 24 b 1(see FIG. 5A), so the control processing unit 21 of the converter Bfetches this internal VPI: 70 from the address translation table 24 b 1(8), generates a VPI-MAC resolution frame (Reply) having the source MACaddress: AAAAA of the received VPI-MAC resolution frame as thedestination MAC address and the source MAC address as its own MACaddress: BBBBB (9) and transmits it from the LAN interface 23. At thistime, the MAC address: AAAAA is set corresponding to the internal VPI:70 in the address translation table 24 b 1 of the converter B to obtainthe content shown in 24 b 2.

Since the address translation table 24 c 1 is not set with the internalVPI: 70, the converter C does not reply to the VPI-MAC resolution frame(Reply) even if receiving it since it has no identical VPI. Therefore,the address translation table of the converter C shows 24 c 2 the sameas 24 c 1 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). Further, if receiving the VPI-MACresolution frame (Reply) from the converter B as shown by the one-dotchain line arrow of FIG. 6A from the LAN interface 23 of the converter A(11), the control processing unit 21 sets the received MAC address:BBBBB in the region corresponding to the internal VPI: 70 at the addresstranslation table 24 a 1 (12).

Due to this, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the address translation table24 of the converter A, as shown as 24 a 2, is set with the MAC address:BBBBB of the converter B corresponding to the external VPI: 100 andinternal VPI: 70, while the address translation table 24 of theconverter B, as shown by 24 b 2, is set with the MAC address: AAAAA ofthe converter A corresponding to the external VPI: 110 and internal VPI:70.

In this state, in the converter A, the control processing unit 21searches through the address translation table 24 (24 a 2) for the cellof the external VPI: 100 from the ATM network using as a key theexternal VPI: 100 and as explained above reads out the internal VPI: 70and MAC address: BBBBB, changes the external VPI: 100 of the cell headerto the internal VPI: 70, generates a frame comprised of this cell plusthe destination MAC address: BBBBB and source MAC address: AAAAA, andtransmits this frame to the LAN.

In the converter B, the unit receives the frame of the destination MACaddress: BBBBB addressed to itself, deletes the destination MAC address:BBBBB and source MAC address: AAAAA, refers to the address translationtable 24 (24 b 2), and transmits the cell changed from the internal VPI:70 to the external VPI: 110 from the ATM interface 22 to its ATMnetwork. Therefore, address resolution becomes possible for transmittingthe cell from the ATM network of the external VPI: 100 through the LANto the ATM network of the external VPI: 110. The converters A and C andthe converters B and C may also perform similar processing to the abovebetween them so as to build address translation tables 24. By this, itis possible to transfer data among a plurality of ATM networks throughthe LAN.

As explained above, the converters A, B, and C can be realized byrelatively simple configurations including address translation tables 24for translating between VPIs and MAC addresses. Each address translationtable 24 can be realized, as explained above, by determining thecorrespondence of the VPIs and MAC addresses for all ATM networks bytransmitting and receiving VPI-MAC resolution frames or other specialframes. Therefore, it is possible to transfer data among ATM networksconnected by a LAN without providing a MAC address management server.

EXAMPLE 2

FIGS. 7A and 7B show flow charts of Example 2 of the present inventionand shows the case of application of the IPv6 based on the RFC (Requestfor Comments) 2373. FIGS. 8A and 8B show the address configuration ofthis IPv6 . As shown in FIG. 8A, this is a 128-bit configurationcomprised of a 64-bit network part and a 64-bit host part. The networkpart is comprised of a 48-bit public topology and an 18-bit sitetopology. FIG. 8B shows the case of setting the internal VPIs in thesite topology and making the host part (interface ID) all “1” forbroadcasting.

In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the converters 2-1 to 2-3 shown in FIG. 1 aredesignated as A, B, and C. Each of these converters A, B, and C, asshown in FIG. 2, is configured including a control processing unit 21,ATM interface 22, LAN interface 23, and address translation table 24.The control processing unit 21 in Example 2 has the function ofgenerating addresses based on the IPv6. In the same way as the initialstate of the case shown in FIG. 5, the address translation table of theconverter A is set with the internal VPI: 70 corresponding to theexternal VPI: 100 and the internal VPI: 71 corresponding to the externalVPI: 101, the address translation table of the converter B is set withthe internal VPI: 70 corresponding to the external VPI: 110, and theaddress translation table of the converter C is set with the internalVPI: 71 corresponding to the external VPI: 111. The case of using thestate with no MAC addresses set as the initial state so as to constructan address translation table will be explained.

When a cell reaches the converter A from the ATM network of the externalVPI: 100 for transfer of data from the external VPI: 100 to the externalVPI: 110, the converter A refers to the address translation table 24,finds the internal VPI: 70 corresponding to the external VPI: 100, and,as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, transmits a VPI-MAC resolution frame(Request) set with the internal VPI: 70 in the site topology of thenetwork part and set with all “1” (broadcast) for the interface ID tothe LAN.

The converters B and C receiving the VPI-MAC resolution frame (Request)using this IPv6 compare the network part including their own internalVPIs and the network part of the received frame. In this case, since thelatter network part is the same as the network part including theinternal VPI: 70 set in the address translation table 24 of theconverter B, the converter B transmits a VPI-MAC resolution frame(Reply) using IPv6 including its own MAC address: BBBBB to the converterA. The converter C does not reply since the internal VPI is not thesame.

When the converter A receives the VPI-MAC resolution frame (Reply) fromthe converter B, it sets the MAC address: BBBBB in accordance with theinternal VPI: 70 of the address translation table 24. The converter Bsets the MAC address: AAAAA in accordance with the internal VPI: 70 ofthe address translation table 24. Due to this, the converter A transmitsa frame changed from the VPI: 100 of the header of the cell to theinternal VPI: 70 and attached with the MAC address: BBBBB to the LAN.The converter B receives this the MAC address: BBBBB, deletes this,changes the VPI of the head of the cell to the external VPI: 110 withreference to the address translation table 24, then transmits this toits ATM network. The processing steps at the converters A and B becomesubstantially the same as the case shown in FIG. 6A and 6B.

In this way, according to Example 2, since the destination addresses ofthe frames transferred between the converters are mapped in the addressspace of the IPv6 in advance, even when ATM networks and IPv6 networksare both present on a LAN, it is possible to construct a network systemusing the present invention.

EXAMPLE 3

FIG. 9 shows a flow chart of Example 3 of the present invention. Here,the converters 2-1 to 2-3 shown in FIG. 1 are designated as A, B, and C.Each of the converters A, B, and C, as shown in FIG. 2, is configuredincluding a control processing unit 21, an ATM interface 22, a LANinterface 23, and an address translation table 24. The controlprocessing unit 21 in Example 3 has the function of broadcasting aVPI-MAC resolution frame (Request) for a predetermined period. Thefunction in this case may also be provided at all of the converters. Inthis case, each converter preferably is given a different transmissioncycle or transmission timing. It is also possible to provide thisfunction at just the important converters.

In the same way as the initial state in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the addresstranslation table of the converter A is set with the internal VPI: 70corresponding to the external VPI: 100 and the internal VPI: 71corresponding to the external VPI: 101, the address translation table ofthe converter B is set with the internal VPI: 70 corresponding to theexternal VPI: 110, and the address translation table of the converter Cis set with the internal VPI: 71 corresponding to the external VPI: 111,but from the initial state where no MAC address is set, the converter Bperiodically transmits the VPI-MAC resolution frame set with its own MACaddress: BBBBB and an internal VPI of for example 70.

When the converter A receives the VPI-MAC resolution frame of thebroadcast from the converter B, it refers to the address translationtable 24 based on the internal VPI: 70 set in the VPI-MAC resolutionframe and, since the internal VPI: 70 is set, sets the source MACaddress: BBBBB of the VPI-MAC resolution frame corresponding to theinternal VPI: 70. In this case, the converter C does not perform anyprocessing since the address translation table 24 is not set with theinternal VPI: 70.

Further, when an external VPI: 100 cell arrives, the converter A refersto the address translation table 24, translates the external VPI: 100 tothe internal VPI: 70, and transmits a frame with the MAC address: BBBBBadded. When the converter B receives the MAC address: BBBBB frameaddressed to itself, it refers to the address translation table 24 tochange the internal VPI: 70 to the external VPI: 110 and transmits thecell to its ATM network. That is, communication between the ATM networksby the external VPI: 100 and external VPI: 110 becomes possible. InExample 3 as well, in the same way as Example 2, it is possible to usethe VPI-MAC resolution frame using the IPv6.

By providing the converter C with the function of periodicallybroadcasting a VPI-MAC resolution frame, it is possible to collect theMAC address: AAAAA of the opposing converter A corresponding to theinternal VPI: 71 by the reply frame and set it in the addresstranslation table 24. Further, by periodically broadcasting the VPI-MACresolution frame, it is possible to automatically update the content ofthe address translation frame 24 even if adding or deleting convertersor otherwise altering the network system.

EXAMPLE 4

FIG. 10 is a view explaining principal parts of the converter of Example4 of the present invention. Notations the same as in FIG. 2 show partsof the same names. Notation 25 indicates an opposing VPI-MAC table. Thisopposing VPI-MAC table 25 can be set with addresses from the controlprocessing unit 21. The one-dot chain arrows (a) to (f) show processingsteps. FIGS. 11A and 11B show the flow chart of Example 4 of the presentinvention. Here, the converters 2-1 to 2-3 shown in FIG. 1 aredesignated as A, B, and C. The converter A has the configuration shownin FIG. 10, while the converters B and C have configurations shown inFIG. 2 in this case.

In FIGS. 11A and 11B, in the same way as the case of FIGS. 5A, 5B andFIG. 9, in the initial state, the address translation table 24 of theconverter A is set with the internal VPI: 70 corresponding to theexternal VPI: 100 and the internal VPI: 71 corresponding to the externalVPI: 101, the address translation table 24 of the converter B is setwith the internal VPI: 70 corresponding to the external VPI: 110, andthe address translation table 24 of the converter C is set with theinternal VPI: 71 corresponding to the external VPI: 111. This is thestate where the opposing MAC address is not set. The opposing VPI-MACtable 25 of the converter A is configured to store the destination MACaddresses, external VPIs, internal VPIs, and opposing MAC addresses incorrespondence, but in the initial state is not set with MAC addressesetc.

The converter A, as shown in FIG. 11, registers, by command, the MACaddresses BBBBB and CCCCC of the converters B and C as opposing MACaddresses in the address translation table 24 and registers, by command,the MAC addresses BBBBB and CCCCC of the converters B and C asdestination MAC addresses, the external VPI, internal VPI, and its ownMAC address AAAAA as the opposing MAC address in the opposing VPI-MACtable 25. As the processing steps in FIG. 10, as shown by the one-dotchain arrows (a) and (b), the control processing unit 21 performscontrol for setting addresses in the address translation table 24 andopposing VPI-MAC table 25.

When the processing for setting and registering addresses ends, thecontrol processing unit 21 accesses the opposing VPI-MAC table 25 (c),reads out the registered content (d), generates a frame based on thedestination MAC address (e), and transmits this through the LANinterface 23 (f). In this case, the processing unit 21 can transmit aVPI-MAC resolution frame including a destination MAC address, source MACaddress, type (VPI-MAC resolution type), request type (reply), andinternal VPI.

Due to this, the converter B can receive a frame of the destination MACaddress: BBBBB and form an address translation table 24 set with theexternal VPI: 110, internal VPI: 70, and opposing MAC address: AAAAA,while the converter C can receive a frame of the destination MACaddress: CCCCC and form an address translation table 24 set with theexternal VPI: 111, internal VPI: 71, and opposing MAC address: AAAAA.

Therefore, after this, when the ATM interface 22 of the converter Areceives a cell from the ATM network of the external VPI: 100, thecontrol processing unit 21 refers to the address translation table 24,generates a frame changed from the VPI of the header of the cell to theinternal VPI: 70 and added with the opposing MAC address: BBBBB, andtransmits this from the LAN interface 23 to the LAN. The converter Breceives this frame from the LAN interface 23, removes the MAC address,changes the internal VPI: 70 of the header of the cell to the externalVPI: 110, and transmits this cell from the ATM interface 22 to its ATMnetwork.

Further, the address translation table 24 of the converter is set andregistered with an MAC address corresponding to the external VPI andinternal VPI. Due to this, a plurality of ATM networks are connectedthrough the LAN to form a network system and cells of the ATM networkscan be transferred as frames in the LAN. Further, in the LAN, it ispossible to use a frame of an address configuration using the IPv6.

While the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments chosen for purpose of illustration, it should be apparentthat numerous modifications could be made thereto by those skilled inthe art without departing from the basic concept and scope of theinvention.

1. A communication apparatus set between a plurality of firstcommunication networks with the same communication protocol and a secondcommunication network with a communication protocol different from saidfirst communication networks, said communication apparatus comprising:an address conversion table storing destination identifiers utilized insaid first communication networks and hardware identifiers identifyingdata sender hardware connected to said second communication network incorrespondence; a receiving unit receiving destination informationcorresponding to address identifiers of data and hardware identifiersidentifying sender hardware from said second communication network; ajudging unit judging if said received destination information isincluded in said address conversion table; and a storing unit storingsaid hardware identifier received at said receiving unit in said addressconversion table in correspondence with said destination identifier whensaid received destination information is included in said addressconversion table.
 2. The communication apparatus as set forth in claim1, a unit for sending its own hardware identifier is further providedwhen it is judged that said received destination information is includedin said address conversion table by said judging unit.
 3. Acommunication control method of a network system connecting a pluralityof ATM networks to a LAN by a converter apparatus, said communicationcontrol method comprising: having said converter apparatus provide anaddress conversion table, an opposing VPI-MAC table, and a controlprocessor, set and register an internal VPI/VCI corresponding to anexternal VPI/VCI indicating a destination of a cell sent by said ATMnetworks and assigned uniquely to said LAN and an opposing MAC addressin said address conversion table, set and register in said opposingVPI-MAC table said external VPI/VCI, said internal VPI/VCI, adestination MAC address for an opposing converter apparatus through saidLAN, and an opposing MAC address indicating a MAC address of one's ownapparatus, and send a special frame including said internal VPI/VCI,said destination MAC address, and said opposing MAC address indicating aMAC address of one's own system to said LAN according to the set; andregistered contents in said opposing VPI-MAC table and having saidconverter apparatus receive said special frame in accordance with saiddestination MAC address and set and register said opposing MAC addressof said special frame in said address conversion table of the converterapparatus in correspondence with the external VPI/VCI and internalVPI/VCI.
 4. A converter apparatus for connecting a plurality of ATMnetworks by a LAN, comprising: an address conversion table storing anexternal VPI/VCI indicating a destination of a cell sent by an ATMnetwork, an internal VPI/VCI assigned uniquely to said LAN, and anopposing MAC address of an opposing converter apparatus connected tosaid LAN in correspondence; a first sending unit changing an externalVPI/VCI of a header of a cell from the ATM network to an internalVPI/VCI by referring to said address conversion table and periodicallysending to said LAN a special frame to which said opposing MAC addresscorresponding to said internal VPI/VCI has been added; and a secondsending unit removing said opposing MAC address of a response framereceived from said LAN by referring to said address conversion table andsending a cell with an internal VPI/VCI changed to an external VPI/VCIto the ATM network.
 5. The converter apparatus as set forth in claim 4wherein said first sending unit further sends a special frame includingsaid internal VPI/VCI contained in an IPv6 address to said LAN.
 6. Acommunication apparatus set between a plurality of first communicationnetworks with the same communication protocol and a second communicationnetwork with a communication protocol different from said firstcommunication networks, the communication apparatus comprising: anaddress conversion table storing destination identifiers utilized insaid first communication networks and hardware identifiers identifyingdata sender hardware connected to said second communication network incorrespondence; a unit broadcasting destination informationcorresponding to a destination identifier included in said data to saidsecond communication network when receiving data from a firstcommunication network; a receiving unit receiving hardware informationcorresponding to said address identifier from said second communicationnetwork; and a storing unit storing said hardware identifier received atsaid receiving unit in said address conversion table in correspondencewith said destination identifier.
 7. A communication apparatus setbetween a plurality of first communication networks with the samecommunication protocol and a second communication network with acommunication protocol different from said first communication networksand having a self hardware identifier for identifying itself, thecommunication apparatus comprising: an address conversion table storinginternal identifiers utilized in said second communication network andsender identifiers identifying data sender hardware in correspondence; areceiving unit receiving from another communication apparatus via saidsecond communication network another hardware identifier for identifyingsaid other communication apparatus and an internal identifier used insaid second communication network; a judging unit judging if saidreceived internal identifier is included in said address conversiontable; and a sending unit sending said self hardware identifier to saidsecond communication network when said judging unit judges that saidreceived internal identifier is included in said address conversiontable.
 8. The communication apparatus as set forth in claim 7, furthercomprising a storing unit storing said other hardware identifier foridentifying said other communication apparatus received by saidreceiving unit in said address conversion table in correspondence withsaid internal identifier when said received internal identifier isincluded in said address conversion table.